Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi had become acquainted with the Bhagavad Gita during his student days in London. His study of the Gita and deepened along with his involvement in public life and freedom struggles. In South Africa where Gandhi spent 21 years of youthful life started living his life according to the tenets of the Gita and had taken to it as his primary source of ethical, moral and spiritual inspiration. He applied teaching of Gita in the political, social and economic fields. In fact, Gandhi used the teaching of Gita to provide leadership to the Indian masses by upholding the ethical values in public and private life. Gandhi called the Gita as mother Kamadhenu spiritual dictionary dictionary of references for the solution of all troubles and trials, the book of life his refuge and so on. He himself said that his life is based on the teaching of the Gita. Gita became Gandhis friend, philosopher and guide in practically all matters. Gandhi extensively studied wrote and spoke on the various facets and teaching of the Gita and applied in day-to-day affairs as well as in freedom struggle. Gandhi gives very comprehensive, contemporary and relevant meanings and interpretation of the Gita's philosophy and teachings.
In 1926 in the Satyagraha Ashram, Sabarmati Gandhi delivered 218 discourses in Gujarati on Gita. These discourses are relevant for contemporary management expert who only believes in Western theories. |
